Pre-Stoke Presser

[robbiez666]

 

[Cappy]

Notes to follow...

 

[robbiez666]

Main points:

Khadra was very cheap. Difficult to replace without spending more money.
No offers for any players
Not close to bringing anyone in. Would like to bring a like for like in for Khadra but will be down to finances
Coulibaly recovering well. No reaction to playing. May go out at the end of window but won't leave us short.

Lowe and Osborn training and in with a chance for the weekend.
McBurnie probably another week or two away
Fleck and Clark in the gym but not out on the grass yet. Few weeks.
Hopes Brewster and RND will be back for the run-in
Arblaster back in the building after illness.

 

[Cappy]

Here we go then, back to the pressure of the league. The points I thought worth noting, mainly with an eye on Stoke:

Started with some niceties about Reda Khadra. In summary, Hecky said Reda could have shown us more, but also he was unlucky with others improving to be in front of him.

Although we have Will Osula back, Hecky said he still wants someone else to come in. “We need it, we want it. We want like for like (to replace Khadra).” He said we had such a good financial deal from Brighton for Khadra, that we won’t get someone on the same money who is good enough, so “it’s a bit of a cost, and it’s about what that cost is”

If we just have the senior strikers, plus Jebbo and Osula, would that be enough? “Yeah. Ollie McBurnie is on his way back, Brewster is doing really well. We have the bodies then, but we want as much as we can get. There are ways around it, playing one number 9 and a couple of 10s, but we’d rather have one out (Khadra) and one in (a new body).

Confident in keeping our players in JTW? “Yeah, confident. They’re our players, so it’s up to us." When asked if there had been any outside interest in any of them yet, “No”.

Re Ismaila Coulibaly, Hecky doesn’t want to send him out on loan, but indicated it’s always an option and will be looked at towards the end of Jan. He’s been training well and has played in the reserves at York. We don’t want to leave ourselves short and we have a responsibility to look after him in the best way, he said.

Are we close to any incomings? “No”

Any update on the takeover? “No”.

About the availability of McBurnie and Lowe for the Stoke game, “We’ll see. Lowe has been training and Ozzie has been also. Ollie has been on the grass working but I’m not willing to rush him or risk him. I want him ready and firing to have a big impact on games."

Regarding Fleck and Clarke, “Fleck is in the gym, and we’ll get him back on the grass. I haven’t spoken with Clarke for a couple of days, but everyone’s pleased with where he is at.” Hecky agreed a couple of games until Clarke's return might be about right, but then he stepped away from that commitment.

Hecky also said regarding both Brewster and RND, that he is still “definitely” hopeful they’ll play a part this season “for that final push” and it’s what is driving them on.

He did say that once a player is back on the grass, that’s the main milestone and it is taken day by day from there. Once they are put through the fitness tests and put “in situations” on the grass, that’s when we see where they are really at. In other words. All bets are off on timescales until a player has been out on the grass a while and not had setbacks.

Are there any new fitness/injury concerns or updates? “Arblaster has been back in the building after his illness, and we will see how he goes”

Hecky went on to talk about the improvement in Ndiaye this season and his “impact on games”, not just the tricks and skills we see. It’s about “producing big moments and that last touch”.

How big an opportunity are the next few weeks to increase the gap over the chasing pack? He was diplomatic answering the daft question. In a nutshell, “we try to win every game”.

He did ask us fans to be patient during games as we impose ourselves on the match and deal with the tactics that other teams bring to it.

On that subject, what does he expect from Stoke? “Trying to stop us and knock us out of our rhythm”. “We need to foresee that, be one step ahead, so no matter what shapes and tactics are thrown at us, we know what to do with it”

What did we learn from Stoke Away? “I wouldn’t pick that team again. It was an Under 21 team, wasn’t it. We had to change everything, personnel, shape”. He said there were some “positive bits” in it, but “it’s the only game in my time (at the Blades) where it wasn’t us (not a team he wanted to field). It was not a good feeling”

When asked if he regrets Phil Jagielka leaving and whether he could have been of use if he’d stayed, “I look at how he has performed over the last two years. If he had still been here, I could have seen me using him without a doubt. He’d have got games”

UTB!!

As an aside, I love listening to Anel's interviews. He is so confident, so driven. A cheeky smile, but a steely stare too. Definitely a future captain somewhere.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Main points:

Khadra was very cheap. Difficult to replace without spending more money.
No offers for any players
Not close to bringing anyone in. Would like to bring a like for like in for Khadra but will be down to finances
Coulibaly recovering well. No reaction to playing. May go out at the end of window but won't leave us short.

Lowe and Osborn training and in with a chance for the weekend.
McBurnie probably another week or two away
Fleck and Clark in the gym but not out on the grass yet. Few weeks.
Hopes Brewster and RND will be back for the run-in
Arblaster back in the building after illness.

Important points he said that you haven't mentioned

1. Confident that non of our better players will be sold in the JTW, see's no reason why not (it's not a surprise but good to have it confirmed).
2. No news regards the takeover (but that's a daft question as he won't say anything even if he knows who the buyer is).
3. Has some regrets that we didn't keep Phil Jagielaka as due to our injuries he would have seen some game time here.

Initially thought someone would be coming in the JTW to replace Khadra
but I'm now getting the impression it could be no ins or outs in this transfer window and Hecky has to work with the current players.

Also it sounds like Khadra wasn't happy about being used in different positions and being used as sub so much, so probably been a clash.
He gave McAtee as an example of how playing football isn't all plain sailing and you need to give yourself to the team and be flexible to play different positions.

 

[Cappy]

There are two threads again Linz Foxy, if you could merge?

Hecky Pre Match Press Conference – Stoke City (H) - 14.01.23

Notes to follow...

www.s24su.com

 

[Cappy]

There are two threads again Linz Foxy, if you could merge?

Pre-Stoke Presser

www.s24su.com

 

[Booker4]

Here we go then, back to the pressure of the league. The points I thought worth noting, mainly with an eye on Stoke:

Started with some niceties about Reda Khadra. In summary, Hecky said Reda could have shown us more, but also he was unlucky with others improving to be in front of him.

Although we have Will Osula back, Hecky said he still wants someone else to come in. “We need it, we want it. We want like for like (to replace Khadra).” He said we had such a good financial deal from Brighton for Khadra, that we won’t get someone on the same money who is good enough, so “it’s a bit of a cost, and it’s about what that cost is”

If we just have the senior strikers, plus Jebbo and Osula, would that be enough? “Yeah. Ollie McBurnie is on his way back, Brewster is doing really well. We have the bodies then, but we want as much as we can get. There are ways around it, playing one number 9 and a couple of 10s, but we’d rather have one out (Khadra) and one in (a new body).

Confident in keeping our players in JTW? “Yeah, confident. They’re our players, so it’s up to us." When asked if there had been any outside interest in any of them yet, “No”.

Re Ismaila Coulibaly, Hecky doesn’t want to send him out on loan, but indicated it’s always an option and will be looked at towards the end of Jan. He’s been training well and has played in the reserves at York. We don’t want to leave ourselves short and we have a responsibility to look after him in the best way, he said.

Are we close to any incomings? “No”

Any update on the takeover? “No”.

About the availability of McBurnie and Lowe for the Stoke game, “We’ll see. Lowe has been training and Ozzie has been also. Ollie has been on the grass working but I’m not willing to rush him or risk him. I want him ready and firing to have a big impact on games."

Regarding Fleck and Clarke, “Fleck is in the gym, and we’ll get him back on the grass. I haven’t spoken with Clarke for a couple of days, but everyone’s pleased with where he is at.” Hecky agreed a couple of games until Clarke's return might be about right, but then he stepped away from that commitment.

Hecky also said regarding both Brewster and RND, that he is still “definitely” hopeful they’ll play a part this season “for that final push” and it’s what is driving them on.

He did say that once a player is back on the grass, that’s the main milestone and it is taken day by day from there. Once they are put through the fitness tests and put “in situations” on the grass, that’s when we see where they are really at. In other words. All bets are off on timescales until a player has been out on the grass a while and not had setbacks.

Are there any new fitness/injury concerns or updates? “Arblaster has been back in the building after his illness, and we will see how he goes”

Hecky went on to talk about the improvement in Ndiaye this season and his “impact on games”, not just the tricks and skills we see. It’s about “producing big moments and that last touch”.

How big an opportunity are the next few weeks to increase the gap over the chasing pack? He was diplomatic answering the daft question. In a nutshell, “we try to win every game”.

He did ask us fans to be patient during games as we impose ourselves on the match and deal with the tactics that other teams bring to it.

On that subject, what does he expect from Stoke? “Trying to stop us and knock us out of our rhythm”. “We need to foresee that, be one step ahead, so no matter what shapes and tactics are thrown at us, we know what to do with it”

What did we learn from Stoke Away? “I wouldn’t pick that team again. It was an Under 21 team, wasn’t it. We had to change everything, personnel, shape”. He said there were some “positive bits” in it, but “it’s the only game in my time (at the Blades) where it wasn’t us (not a team he wanted to field). It was not a good feeling”

When asked if he regrets Phil Jagielka leaving and whether he could have been of use if he’d stayed, “I look at how he has performed over the last two years. If he had still been here, I could have seen me using him without a doubt. He’d have got games”

UTB!!

As an aside, I love listening to Anel's interviews. He is so confident, so driven. A cheeky smile, but a steely stare too. Definitely a future captain somewhere.

Seems that McBurnie is still not ready to play yet and not much detail coming as to when he'll be back yet or if there's an ongoing issue. Good to hear he's on the grass but not back in training yet it seems.

Takeover is frustrating as people are assuming there should be an update by now but I don't see it that way because these things often take ages and quite frankly I wish the news had never been broken.

No guarantee of anyone coming in to replace Khadra either is worrying. To rely on Billy and inexperienced back up is not ideal, granted we have Ndiaye alongside Bill or Jebbo/Osula but would be nice if we had another option such as Surridge but I'm not confident of anyone coming as it stands. I was hoping that the cup run would give some extra funds for a striker coming in but presumably it hasn't/has been swallowed up by loss making. Sorry if this sounds glass half empty but just frustrating on a few fronts, not mentioning the kop ongoing situation but that's nothing to do with Hecky obviously.

 

[Dkc]

Here we go then, back to the pressure of the league. The points I thought worth noting, mainly with an eye on Stoke:

Started with some niceties about Reda Khadra. In summary, Hecky said Reda could have shown us more, but also he was unlucky with others improving to be in front of him.

Although we have Will Osula back, Hecky said he still wants someone else to come in. “We need it, we want it. We want like for like (to replace Khadra).” He said we had such a good financial deal from Brighton for Khadra, that we won’t get someone on the same money who is good enough, so “it’s a bit of a cost, and it’s about what that cost is”

If we just have the senior strikers, plus Jebbo and Osula, would that be enough? “Yeah. Ollie McBurnie is on his way back, Brewster is doing really well. We have the bodies then, but we want as much as we can get. There are ways around it, playing one number 9 and a couple of 10s, but we’d rather have one out (Khadra) and one in (a new body).

Confident in keeping our players in JTW? “Yeah, confident. They’re our players, so it’s up to us." When asked if there had been any outside interest in any of them yet, “No”.

Re Ismaila Coulibaly, Hecky doesn’t want to send him out on loan, but indicated it’s always an option and will be looked at towards the end of Jan. He’s been training well and has played in the reserves at York. We don’t want to leave ourselves short and we have a responsibility to look after him in the best way, he said.

Are we close to any incomings? “No”

Any update on the takeover? “No”.

About the availability of McBurnie and Lowe for the Stoke game, “We’ll see. Lowe has been training and Ozzie has been also. Ollie has been on the grass working but I’m not willing to rush him or risk him. I want him ready and firing to have a big impact on games."

Regarding Fleck and Clarke, “Fleck is in the gym, and we’ll get him back on the grass. I haven’t spoken with Clarke for a couple of days, but everyone’s pleased with where he is at.” Hecky agreed a couple of games until Clarke's return might be about right, but then he stepped away from that commitment.

Hecky also said regarding both Brewster and RND, that he is still “definitely” hopeful they’ll play a part this season “for that final push” and it’s what is driving them on.

He did say that once a player is back on the grass, that’s the main milestone and it is taken day by day from there. Once they are put through the fitness tests and put “in situations” on the grass, that’s when we see where they are really at. In other words. All bets are off on timescales until a player has been out on the grass a while and not had setbacks.

Are there any new fitness/injury concerns or updates? “Arblaster has been back in the building after his illness, and we will see how he goes”

Hecky went on to talk about the improvement in Ndiaye this season and his “impact on games”, not just the tricks and skills we see. It’s about “producing big moments and that last touch”.

How big an opportunity are the next few weeks to increase the gap over the chasing pack? He was diplomatic answering the daft question. In a nutshell, “we try to win every game”.

He did ask us fans to be patient during games as we impose ourselves on the match and deal with the tactics that other teams bring to it.

On that subject, what does he expect from Stoke? “Trying to stop us and knock us out of our rhythm”. “We need to foresee that, be one step ahead, so no matter what shapes and tactics are thrown at us, we know what to do with it”

What did we learn from Stoke Away? “I wouldn’t pick that team again. It was an Under 21 team, wasn’t it. We had to change everything, personnel, shape”. He said there were some “positive bits” in it, but “it’s the only game in my time (at the Blades) where it wasn’t us (not a team he wanted to field). It was not a good feeling”

When asked if he regrets Phil Jagielka leaving and whether he could have been of use if he’d stayed, “I look at how he has performed over the last two years. If he had still been here, I could have seen me using him without a doubt. He’d have got games”

UTB!!

As an aside, I love listening to Anel's interviews. He is so confident, so driven. A cheeky smile, but a steely stare too. Definitely a future captain somewhere.

Great summary. Thanks.

 

[Sheffsteel]

As an aside, I love listening to Anel's interviews. He is so confident, so driven. A cheeky smile, but a steely stare too. Definitely a future captain somewhere.

Agree, always confident but never arrogant, also very ambitious to go to the very top. Always comes across really well.
Like how.....for him, it's not just about being promoted back to the PL....he wants to finish top of the league and that is his target.

I'm pleased he commented that he's really happy here, very settled, enjoying his football
but the important bit he said was "the role I'm playing here is perfect for me".

Hardly any other clubs in English football could give him the role of centre back but encourage him to get forward so much into attack.
He's being coached to be more positive in attack, making passes but also going on little dribbles and trying shots.

The significance of what he's saying means he's more likely to stay when we offer him a new contract.

 

[S64 Blade]

In the nicest way possible, I don’t bother listening to what Hecky has to say in this pre-match press conferences, following his admission of being a bullshitter to trick the opposition.

 

[Scarebus]

Can't take Hecky seriously when he isn't battling GERD and moving a peanut round his mouth, but, the typing is as soothing as ever.